BAZETTA - The Trumbull County 4-H program honored its volunteers for their dedicated service during the recent annual 4-H Fun Day and volunteer recognition banquet.
Michelle Adkins, an extension educator in 4-H Youth Development with Ohio State University Extension, said the event is a way to thank the volunteers for all they do and their contributions to the 4-H program.
Attendees were entertained by magician Gary Morton and participated in hands-on activities like painting pumpkins and making buckeye necklaces and bird feeders.
Adkins said Trumbull County 4-H has three different volunteer awards, the 4-H Alumni Award, 4-H Meritorious Service Award and 4-H Distinguished Service Award, nominated by 4-H families.
This year, there were two 4-H Alumni Award winners: Morgan Tracey and Melvin Liddle Jr.
Tracey, originally of Warren, was involved in the Trumbull 4-H program for nine years as a youth, was instrumental in developing a mentoring program for new members and was involved in many community service projects. Recently, she was honored by the White House's "Champion of Change" for all her volunteer work and is currently training for the Olympic Games.
Liddle, of Cortland, was a member of the Newton Duck Creek Travelers as a child. As a 4-H member, he was involved in a wide variety of projects and activities. He has been a club adviser, member of the county advisory committee, a Trumbull fair board member and most recently has been involved with the 4-H camping program.
Trumbull County 4-H also gives a Meritorious Service Award for someone who has given outstanding service to 4-H through short term dedication or in a specific area of 4-H youth work. This year, the 4-H program honored Rich Owen of Streetsboro.
Owen has been a 4-H volunteer for 14 years and works very passionately with youth in the Trumbull Dairy Judging program. He also serves as president of the Trumbull 4-H Dairy Committee and is involved with the Ohio 4-H dairy committee.
The Distinguished Service Award is for someone who has shown superior dedication to 4-H. The award winner should have both extended tenure and service to 4-H beyond his/her local club. Peigi Tracey of Warren has been a 4-H adviser with the Trumbull County Equestrians for the past 15 years, in addition to being active in the Trumbull County 4-H Equine Development Committee.
"The Trumbull 4-H program could not exist without all the hard work of all of the volunteers ... All of the volunteers deserve a huge thank you for all the time and energy they spend creating a wonderful 4-H program for the young people of Trumbull County," said Adkins.
For information, call 330-638-6783.